Based in Stroud, UK, Rycote is a highly respected, market-leading brand, trusted by audio professionals and the leading manufacturer of advanced noise reduction equipment, including microphone windshields and suspension systems. Audio capture is an integral element in the creation of high quality content and Vitec’s existing markets already address the needs of broadcasters, videographers or independent content creators, all of which buy audio products.
Simon Davies, Rycote Managing Director, will remain with the company post acquisition and Rycote will become part of Vitec’s Creative Solutions Division, led by Nicol Verheem.
“We are thrilled to become part of the Vitec Group and I’m really excited and confident that we can continue to go from strength to strength; designing, manufacturing and selling our fantastic Rycote products," Simon Davies states. “We are looking forward to celebrating 50 years of Rycote next year and, as we enter into this new chapter, we remain committed to serving the needs of our professional audio customers and exploring other markets for our existing and new products.
“Vitec has an incredible portfolio of premium brands in the fast-moving and growing ‘image capture and content creation’ market, so this move also brings great opportunities for Rycote,” he adds.
Commenting on the acquisition, Stephen Bird, Group Chief Executive of Vitec, states: “I am delighted to welcome the Rycote team to the Group. Vitec operates primarily in the video production market and this acquisition opens up the opportunity for us to enter the growing audio capture market, adding innovative and complementary products for our customers, and creating additional value for our shareholders. Rycote has exciting product development plans that will add real value to Vitec and our customers, and we look forward to developing the business.”
Rycote is renowned for its innovative, problem-solving designs and, for over 45 years, it has become a synonym for microphone windshields the world over, playing a leading role in this industry. Forming an essential part of broadcast and recording technology at the critical point of audio capture, Rycote products are trusted by audio professionals to help them deliver quality audio in the most demanding of conditions.
Rycote was founded by John Gozzard, who passed-away in May 2018. The company he started (named after his house, “Rylands Cottage”) is recognized the world over by everyone associated with location sound. Gozzard was passionate about sound and was a film recordist in the early 1970s, working for ATV and the BBC. At that time, newly emerging practical microphones, that were exactly what sound recordists wanted, were hampered by the heavy, cumbersome microphone suspensions and windshields available, which were typically made of metal, wire mesh and rug wool. John quickly recognized the need for something much lighter and more durable, and had the vision, determination and dedication to set about making this a reality. Using the down-to-earth ingenuity of the classic British craft-worker, he invented the plastics-based “zeppelin” windshield that is so widely recognized today.
Ever practical and endlessly innovative, the early days saw John Gozzard using mundane items, such as garden netting and fabric to bring lightweight form to his new designs. John continued to apply his ingenuity with the later development of the faux fur “Windjammer”, and the almost indestructible “Softie” windshield. A true pioneer, John Gozzard retired from Rycote in 1995, but the company, the evolved product, and the generic name for location-sound windshields remained as his legacy to the industry.
Rycote windshields and microphone suspension systems are designed for capturing audio, whilst at the same time preventing wind and handling noise and preserving the microphone’s natural frequency response. Designed, developed and manufactured in-house, the company’s designs were honored with a Technical Achievement Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2000, and shortlisted for another in 2011. Rycote continues to apply its years of engineering knowledge to create the most complete line of specialized tools for wind, shock and handling noise protection that exists today.
The Vitec Group plc is a leading global provider of image capture and content creation solutions, covering the design, manufacture and distribution of high performance products and solutions including camera supports, camera mounted electronic accessories, robotic camera systems, prompters, LED lights, mobile power, monitors and bags. Vitec employs around 1,700 people across the world in eleven different countries, organized in three Divisions: Imaging Solutions, Production Solutions and Creative Solutions. The Vitec Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange. Vitec's most famous brands, include Lowepro, Manfrotto, Anton/Bauer, Autocue, Litepanels, OConnor, Sachtler, Vinten and Teradek. There are opportunities across all three of Vitec's divisions to sell Rycote products in conjunction with SmallHD monitors, Teradek transmitters, tripods, Anton/Bauer batteries, JOBY GorillaPods and Manfrotto products.
www.vitecgroup.com | www.rycote.com
